The Doctor of Medicine and Surgery is a five year degree course. The content is delivered as modules which are largely based on systems. The course is divided into preclinical and clinical phases which are spread out over several semesters. The teaching and learning is a mix of traditional didactic teaching, such as lectures, tutorials and small group teaching) as well as problem based learning where appropriate. In the preclinical years it also includes practicals(e.g. anatomy dissection) and in the clinical years bedside teaching, shadowing, observation, skills training, theatre and ward attendance.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes/competences for the MD Degree

Level 1

At the end of their course of studies graduates will have the ability to:

- carry out a consultation with a patient;- assess clinical presentations, order investigations, make differential diagnoses, and negotiate a management plan- provide immediate care of medical emergencies, including First Aid and resuscitation- prescribe drugs;- carry out practical procedures;- communicate effectively in a medical context;- apply ethical and legal principles in medical practice;- assess psychological and social aspects of a patient's illness;- apply the principles, skills and knowledge of evidence-based medicine;- use information and information technology effectively in a medical context;- apply scientific principles, method and knowledge to medical practice and research;- promote health, engage with population health issues and work effectively in a health care system;

Level 2

Carry out a consultation with a patient

- take a history;- carry out physical examination;- assess the patient's mental state;- make clinical judgements and decisions;- provide explanation and advice;- provide reassurance and support;

Assess clinical presentations, order investigations, make differential diagnoses, and negotiate a management plan

- recognise and assess the severity of clinical presentations;- order appropriate investigations and interpret the results;- make differential diagnoses;- negotiate an appropriate management plan with patients and carers;

Provide immediate care of medical emergencies, including First Aid and resuscitation

- recognise and assess acute medical emergencies;- provide basic First Aid;- provide Basic Life Support and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation according to current European guidelines;- treat acute medical emergencies;

Prescribe drugs

- prescribe clearly and accurately- match appropriate drugs to the clinical context- review the appropriateness of medication and evaluate the potential benefits and risks;

- assess psychological factors in presentations and impact of illness;- assess social factors in presentations and impact of illness;- detect stress in relation to illness;- detect alcohol and substance abuse, dependency;

Ability to apply scientific principles, method and knowledge to medical practice and research

to be designed specifically for each objective within all teaching programmes

Promote health, engage with population health issues and work effectively in a health care system

- provide patient care which minimises the risk of harm to patients;- apply measures to prevent the spread of infection;- recognise own health needs and ensure own health does not interfere with professional responsibilities;- conform with professional regulation and certification to practise;- receive and provide professional appraisal; and- make informed career choices.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO FURTHER STUDY

The degree awarded after successful completion of the programme entitles graduates to apply for limited registration with the Malta Medical Council and makes them eligible to apply for foundation doctor posts. The qualification is also mandatory for eventual full registration with the Medical Council. The degree is also required for postgraduate training in any of the medical specialties both locally and overseas. The degree also allows graduates to apply for higher degrees such as M Phil and PhD with the University of Malta and other universities. Successful completion of the programme is a pre requisite for embarking on a career in any of the various specialties.

COURSE INTENDED FOR

Primarily the course is intended for students who completed their higher secondary education and satisfy both the General and the Special Entry Requirements and who would like to pursue a career in Medicine. The course however could also be followed by any graduates in other health professions as detailed in the Regulations of the MD Course.

ADMISSION AND PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must satisfy the General Entry Requirements for admission, namely, the Matriculation Certificate and Secondary Education Certificate passes at Grade 5 or better in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics.

Applicants must also satisfy the following Special Course Requirements:

(a) be in possession of passes in the Matriculation Examination at Advanced Level at Grade B or better in Biology and Chemistry and

(b) be in possession of a pass in any subject taken in the Matriculation Examination at Intermediate Level and obtained at Grade B or better except for Environmental Science,

provided that all passes in these Special Course Requirements are obtained together in one session of examinations (i.e. one sitting) and are from recognised examining boards from the same country, and

(c) (i) Maltese applicants who, in terms of paragraph (5) of regulation 12 of the Admissions Regulations, 2016 are exempted from possessing a pass in Secondary Education Certificate in Maltese are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta prior to the commencement of the Course, and

(ii) non-Maltese applicants are required to present the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate awarded by the University of Malta, or a pass in the study-unit in Medical Maltese as part of the Certificate in Medical Foundation Studies course, prior to the commencement of the Course,provided that applicants presenting overseas qualifications and a pass in the Secondary Education Certificate examination in Maltese shall be exempted from presenting the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate.

The Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate is required for admission to both Year 1 and Year 3 of the Course.

Details regarding the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate and Course can be found here.

For the purpose of the above paragraphs, a pass obtained in a session of examinations which is held after the results of a previous session were published shall be deemed to be a pass obtained in a session that is distinct from the previous one. This regulation shall also apply to the second session of the Matriculation Examination offered by the MATSEC Board of the University of Malta according to the provisions of the Matriculation Examination Regulations, 2013 and this notwithstanding any other regulation governing the award of the Matriculation Certificate.

Applicants in possession of one of the following degrees obtained from the University of Malta may also apply:

(a) a Bachelor of Science with a classification of Category II or better or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better, in both cases with Biology and Chemistry as principal areas, or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better in either Biology or in Chemistry or in Chemistry with Materials or

(b) a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better in one of the following: Applied Biomedical Science (or Medical Laboratory Science), Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery, Communication Therapy, Health Science, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, and Radiography or

(c) a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) with a classification of Second Class Honours or better or

(d) a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science with a classification of Second Class Honours or better or

(e) a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with a classification of Second Class Honours or better if awarded from July 2009 onwards or

(f) the degree of Master of Dental Surgery awarded from July 2018 onwards.

Applicants in possession of other qualifications obtained after having pursued studies overseas shall be considered by the Admissions Committee of the Faculty and shall be admitted if it is ascertained that their qualifications are comparable to the qualifications indicated in the above paragraphs.

Applicants may be required to attend for an interview and/or examination. The Interviewing Board/s shall be composed of the Dean or his delegate, three other members appointed by the Board, one of whom shall be from outside the Faculty, and another member appointed by Senate. Up to three such Interviewing Boards shall be appointed for each intake of students as determined by the Board.

Prior to enrolling for the Course, accepted applicants are also required to undergo an occupational health assessment, as detailed in the Occupational Health Protocol approved by the Board, so as to ascertain that they are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this requirement shall be barred from attending the clinical placements indicated in the Programme of Study.

Accepted applicants may defer entry to the following year of study provided that there are no changes in the entry requirements applicable to the following year.

The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October
2016.

For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.

The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
Unless for exceptional approved reasons, no changes to the programme of study for a particular academic year will be made once the students' registration period for that academic year begins.

For applicable fees please check the link on the Finance Office webpage.